Underreamer



E. J. ROE

UNDERREAMER Aug. 27, 1935.

Filed May 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 27, 1935. J ROE 2,012,775

UNDERREAMER Filed May 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 27, 1935 UNITED srAn-zs UNDERREAM'EB, I II I Emmett J. Roe, Wichita, Kan's assignor'of one-half to C. E. Glamann Application May 14, 1934, Serial No. 725,603"

, I I 22 Claims.

My invention relates to underreamei's for enlarging or reaming well holes and is animprovement over the type ofunderrea'mer disclosed in my application filed March 25, 1933, Serial Num' ber662,764. I

It is an object'of the present invention to provide an underreame'r having pivotally mounted cutters, operable'to 'expandint'o cutting engagement with the walls of the well hole and adapted to start cutting without the necessity of raising the well casing, the cutters being capable of maximum expansion, so as to materially increase the diameter of the well hole. and thereby increase the oil production capacity of the well.

A further object of'the invention residesin pivotally mounting the cutters in the reamer body to permit maximum expansion'and contraction of the cutters and providing operating means for exerting a, constant; tension on the cutters to rock them into expandedposition.

A still further object of the'invention resides in providing a plurality of different typesof outters capable of varying degrees of expansion, the cutters being mounted'in the reamerbody so'as to bereadily interchangeable, and thus permit the hole to be reamed to the desired size.

Another object of the inventionis toprovide an underreamer of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, re-

liable and efficient in operation and inexpensiveto manufacture. I .Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, r

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the reamer showing the cutters in collapsedposition while being passed through the well casing,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation View of the reamer,

I Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showingthe reamer below the end of the well casing with the cutters fully expanded, I I I I Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view of, the reamer showing a modified form of cutter in collapsed positio I I Fig. 5 is a similar View, showing still another form of cutter in fully expanded position,

Fig. 6 is a cross section'taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, i A

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on line 1-l of Fig. 4, and,

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part,

5. Fig; 3 is acrosssection taken on line-.8 8 of 1"1'31 -v 1 1 I In the drawings',whe'rein for'the' purpose. of illustration, I havegshown a preferrediemb'odi ment of the inventi on,flthe'nume'ral 5," denotes, the 5 'body of the reamer. Its' lower end, is wedge shaped with'oppose'd tapered faces 6,. Thef'faoes, 6 and sides of the body contiguous therewith, are provided with opposed longitudinal grooves or sockets I, in which" the reamer cuttersf8fare 10 pivotally mounted, in the upper ends thereof. The upper ends of thesockets are separatedby the dividing wall 9,'which forms the bottom wall of the socektsj and terminates, at its' lowerfend, above the'lowermostends of the cutters; wa l ;9 has a central (longitudinal slot 10, extending throughout its entire length to receive theoross bar ll 'whichextend's through the transverse opening l2 in the lower end'of the plunger '13. The plunger l3 ismountedto reciprocate inthe centrallongitudinalbDre' I4 of the body 5., Bore l4 communicates with the slot I 0, and its fupper end is enlarged, as .'at 15, to receive the e'Xpansible coil'spring l6, which is mounted-on the plunger and exerts a constant-upwardtension thereon. The ends of the, cross, bar 'Ilnextend into the transverse openings [1 in the .outt er's,'and I the lower edge of the cross bar'midway its'length Is provided with anotch l8 whichiengages the, lower edge of the opening lzflandj secures thefi cross bar against accidental displacement The inner faces or back of the cutters 8,, at tlieirupper ends, are provided withflspaced lugs I 9, which are seated in spaced recesses. 20 formedin the bottom wall'of the, sockets, at their upperjfen'ds, and serveas a fulcrum'fforthecutters to permit pivotal movement of the 'cuttersinto and out. ofv the sockets. The inner endsjoi the opening's ,l'! are relatively wider vertically'than the crossbar to permit pivotal movementjof thecuttersfar'id when the cutters are collapsed the upper edge of the cross bar, at its ends, contacts with the top wall ofjthe openings l1, and through thefaction of the spring l6ywhich exerts an upward pull' on I the'plunger 13, the cross bar is caused tofrockg' the cutters on their fulcrums, until reny pa q ed, as shown in Fig. 3. The t'op'ends' fof fthecut? ters are obliquely cut, as at? I, which abut agai t the upper ends 22 of the sockets;'whichfarefin- I clined downwardly at'an angle'to the axis Of Lthe 50 body, when the cutters are 'fully expanded. jThYe outer facesofthe cutters are'curyedtransversely to conform to the curvature of the well hole an'd reamer body, thelower portions'j being] inclined I outwardlyto provide projecting cuttingedges 23, 55

at their lower ends. The sides of the cutters adjacent their inner faces are provided with laterally extending longitudinal flanges 24, adapted to contact at their lower ends with the flanges 25 along the. sides of thesockets when the cutters are expanded. The lower endsof the-cutters, at their inner faces, are provided with depending legs 26, adapted to abut when the cutters are collapsed. The lower ends of the sockets have a central.weh(21, in alinement with the dividing-wall 3, and attached-to'opposite sides of the web are angle brackets 28, secured in place by abolt 29, passing through one of the aper' tures 30 in the web. There is a series of apex V tures 30 in vertical alinement, to permit vertical adjustment of the brackets with respect tothe lower ends of the cutters. The horizontal'arms 3| of the brackets are disposed beneath the lower ends of the cutters 8 and have upturned hooks 32 at their outer ends which are engaged by the legs 26 of the cutters, when the cutters are fully expanded. The arms" 3| fare thesame width as the sockets, their outer corners being rabbeted, as at 33, to'receive the flange's'25 of the sockets. Thus it is seen that the brackets 28 closethe sockets at a point belowthe lower end of the cutters and preventthe cutters from accidentally dropping from the socketsgThe-armsfl of'each bracket each have a ser'ies'of openings 34,'therethrough to prevent a sand trap from forming in the sockets. When passing the reamer through the well casing 35, the cutters are secured in collapsed position by tying With a string or. other suitable manner. I I p In Figs; 1, 2,'and 3,.the, type of cutters shown are employed during'the initial reaming operation, and in Figs. 4 and'5, modified types of cutv 'ters are shown which are designed ,topermit greater expansion. The cutters 3B in Fig. 4, differ from the cutters 8, in that the body is thicker,

so .that their outer'faces' 31, 'r ide against the walls of the casing 35,whenthe reamer is passed through the casing. The outer faces of the, cutters, .at

their lower'ends, are slightly inclined inwardly,

as at 38, to provide cutting. edges v39, which. do not contact with the casing when the cuttersare collapsed Also the legs 4 0, depending from the bottoms of thecutters are offset as at 4|, to extend beyond the longitudinal axis of the reamer body and each leg is cu't-out,' as at, 42, so that thelegs may overlap, which permits greater contractionjof the cutters to make allowance for the increasedthickness of thecutter body. By oil-setting thelegs ilL shortening the length of the flanges '43 on the cutters and increasing the angle of the upper ends ,the cutters aremade capableof-greater expansion. .In

Fig. 5, a typeof cutter '45 is shown which is designed for still greater expansion. This type of cutter differs from the cutters 36, in that the legs 46 are off-set to .agreater. extent, so .as to extend beyond the longitudinal axis 0t ,theureamer .body when the cutters are collapsed 'andby reducing the length of the flanges 41 onthecutters and increasing the angle of the upperends 48,)it will be seen the cutters are permitted to expand .to a maximum degree. When the cutters 45 are used thebrackets 2-8 arel'oweredlto make allowance for thegreaterlengthof thelegs 46,.

In use, the type of cutters 8,.shown in Figs.,1 to '3 inclusive ,arefirst' employed in starting the reaming operation and when thereamer is passed through the well casing 35 .the cutters fare tiedin collapsed position with apiece of string which willbreak when the cutters pass'the'lower endof the casing and the reaming operation commences.

When the cutters are released the tension of the coil spring IS on the plunger 13 causes the cross bar H to rock the cutters on their fulcrums l9, so as to swing the cutters out of their sockets I, thus moving the cutting edges 23 into working engagement with the walls of the well hole. As

shown in Fig. 3, the cutters when fully expanded will have their upper ends 2| in contact with the ends 22 ofth'e sockets; the cutter flanges 24 will be in contact with the'flanges 25- of the sockets and the legs 26 will be in contact with the up- 1 turned hooks 32 of the brackets 28, which three 1 angle of the upper ends. of the cutters 36 they are made capable of greater expansion and thus;

increase. the diameter of thewell hole. By substituting the type of cutters 45, shown in Fig. 5, a maximum expansionlof the cutters is possible, making it possible to increase the diameter of a sixinch well hole to as much as fifteen inches. .30

Thus; it is seen byusing varioustypes of cutters, the diameter of the well may be increased as. desired to control the oil production capacityof the well. The cutters. are 'so-mountedin the sockets, as to be easily removed; therebypermitting the various types. of cutters to be interchanged as the :reaming operation progresses. To remove the cutters, the'brackets 28 arefirst removed andthen' the plunger I3 is depressed with a suitable tool provided for the purpose, moving the cutters -into the lower ends of the socketsbelow the .flanges 25,.where they may be taken off of the crossbar and removed from the sockets.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown andldescribed is to be taken as a'preferrejd example of the same and that certain changes inthe shape, size and arrangement of the partsQmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope .of the subjoined claims. V

Having thus describedmy invention,'.I claim:- 1 In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed .at their upper-,endsin. said sockets and means for exerting. an .upward 'pull on said cutters -to support androck the cutters .on their fulcrums "to operative position.

2. In an underreamer, the, combination of a reamer body having sockets, -cutters fulcrumed at their'upper ends in said sockets, a cross bar extending through a slot in the bottom of said sockets having its endsloosely disposed in'openings through said cutters, and tensioning means for actuating said crossbar to expand said cutters to operative position. v I I f 3. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having longitudinal sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets 'ha-ving oblique upper ends adapted to abut against the upper ends of the said sockets when the cutters are (expanded and means to'r exertingan upward pull on said cutters to support and rock the cutters on their fulorums to operative position. a I I i i eaoragwzs :4; v:Inan .zunderreamer, the combination oivla reamerfl body having opposed sockets,;cuttersiful- .lxcrumed- ,at their upperends in said sockets for imovement in and :outof .said sockets, a cross Qbar. extending through, aslot in the." bottom. of

said sockets havingiits ends loosely: dispos'edtin openings through said cutters,-a plunger slidably. mounted in said. reamer body having its lower end connected with saidcross bar, and means means engageable with'said legs when said cuttors are fully expanded.

6. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets, legs depending from the lower end of said cutters, means for expanding said cutters, and brackets mounted in said sockets beneath said cutters adapted to be contacted by said legs when the cutters are fully expanded.

7.'In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets, legs depending from the lower end of said cutters, means for expanding said cutters, and removable means closing said sockets below said. cutters having hooks engageable, with said legs when the cutters are fully expanded.

8. In' an underreamer,-the combination of a reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets,legs depending from the lower end of said cutters, said legs being off-set and adapted to overlap when the cutters are collapsed, means for expanding said cutters and means engageable with said legs when the cutters are fully expanded.

9. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets, a cross bar supporting and loosely connecting said cutters and means for actuating said cross bar to swing said cutters on their fulcrums to expanded operative position.

10. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets hav ing transverse openings therethrough', a cross bar having its ends loosely disposed in the openings of said cutters below their fulcrum points and means for raising said'cross bar to swing said cutters on their fulcrumsto expanded operative position.

11. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer. body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets having oblique upper ends adapted to abut against the upper ends of said sockets when the cutters'are expanded, a cross bar loosely connecting said out: ters below their fulcrum points and means for actuating said cross bar to swing said cutters on their fulcrums to expanded operativeposition.

12. In an underreamer, the combination of a 'reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters in said sockets having lugs projecting from their inner face adapted to fulcrurnin recesses formed in the base of the sockets, and means for supporting and swinging-said cutters on their fulcrums into expanded operative position.

13. In an underreamer, the combination of a itoperativegpositiong said sockets having 'lugs projecting from 'their .zinnerifa'cei adapted-to fulcrum in 'rece'sses' formed in the? base f the sockets; :means loosely sup' sporting-said cutters in said socketsi a'nd means 7 ".fort'actuatingsaid-first mentioned means to swing crums'irito expanded -saidi cutters ion their ul 14. In an underreamer, the. combination of a reamer body having opposed sockets, cutters in said sockets having lugs projecting from their inner face at their upper ends adapted to fulreamer .body -:havingI opposed-sockets, cuttersi' in crum in recesses formed in the base of the sockets, a cross bar having its ends loosely disposed in openings in said cutters below their fulcrum points, and means for actuating said cross bar to swing said cutters on their fulcrums into expanded operative position, the upper ends of said cutters being adapted to abut against theupper ends of said sockets, to limit the expanding of the cutters. j

15. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer .body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed at their upper ends in said sockets, means below the fulcrum points of said cutters connecting and supporting the cutters and means for pulling said first mentioned means upwardly to expand the cutters to operative position.

16. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets and means below the fulcrum points of said cutters for exerting an upward pull on said cutters to rock the cutters on their fulcrums to cutters on their fulcrums to-an operative position.

18. In an underream'er, the combination of a reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets and means for rocking said cutters on their fulcrums to expanded position including a cross bar having bearing engagement with the cutters at points below andto one side of the fulcrum points.

19. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets and means. for rocking said cutters on their fulcrums to expanded position'including a cross bar having its ends loosely disposed in openings in said cutters below their fulcrum points, the ends of-said bar having bearing engagementwith said openings on one side of the fulcrum points of-the cutters.

20. In an underreamer, the combination of a.

reamer body having sockets, cutters fulcrumed in said sockets and meansforrocking said cutters on their fulcrums to expanded operative position 7 including a cross bar below the fulcrum points of the cutters having its ends loosely disposed in openings in said cutters, the ends of said bars hav gitudinalzaxis ofssaidcutters. v

22.111 an'underreamen, the-combination of :a reamer body :having :sockets, cuttereiulcmmed at theirupper inner :sides in saa'd sockets; a "cross bar extending between saidvc'utters below, zthir fulcru-ms having its 'ends loosely disposedfin openings through said cutters, the-lends of "said bar thetopzof said'openingsrat-pomts beyond the lonlhavingibeaiing rengagement withithetop of said openings at points 'beyond ,the longitudinal axis or said cutters and tensioning means connected with said'cross bar for exerting an upward pull .011 the :cross bar whereby said cutters are rocked on :their, fulcrums to expanded position, 

